Excitement is building for a one-of-a-kind concert that will hit the Homburg Theatre stage of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on March 2.
Entitled Putting Children First, the show celebrates the 60th anniversary of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation (PEIHSF).
“It’s going to be a small-town variety concert on a large scale — something that has never been done before by the Home and School Federation, or any other organization, as far as I know,” says PEIHSF executive director Shirley Jay, with excitement ringing in her voice.
Event co-ordinator Lee Gauthier is also pumped.
“Come out and support this special evening of celebration. We are proud to showcase the incredible talent of past and present students from our P.E.I. schools,” Gauthier says.
The concert will feature students in the areas of music, literature and art.
“We’re going to showcase the music that is such a fabric of Island life as well as music in our schools today. It’s wonderful to see this talent” says Gauthier.
There will be performances by Island fiddler Cynthia MacLeod, Joey Kitson and his son Julien, John MacPhee of Paper Lions, Le Regazze, Julie MacVicar, the Montague Senior High Choir, Ripped Paper, the Athena Consolidated School Choir, Tessa Hood, the Teachers in Harmony Choir, Branden Kelly, the Summerside Youth and Adult Choir, Angelle and Kristen Rix, Michael Pendergast and family, the Gulf Shore Elementary School Choir, Havenwood Studio Step Dancers, the Glen Stewart Grade 3 Choir, Natalie Sullivan, Hanna Rollwage and Melissa MacKenzie, the Charlottetown Jazz Ensemble, Ceilia Koughan, Olivia King and Hillary Campbell, the AKKORD choir and comedian Patrick Ledwell.
As part of the art component, an exhibition of drawings done by students from all 57-member schools will be on view in the foyer and Memorial Hall prior to the show.
“We will be looking at doing something very special with these at the completion of the celebration. We’ll also be presenting them back to the schools, so they’ll be able to show them on a local level,” says Gauthier.
For the literary component, four readings by students and former students will be presented on stage. As well, improv groups from Three Oaks Senior High School and Bluefield High School will be participating. There will also be a literary presentation by an elementary and junior high school.
“Like a variety show, it uses the wonderful wealth of talent that we have here. The entertainment level is going to be incredible,” says Gauthier.
Sally Cole is a features writer with The Guardian. She welcomes comments about her column as well as suggestions for future columns from readers. She may be reached at scole@theguardian.pe.ca or by phone at 629-6000, ext. 6054.
